The Co-op news and analysis – Page 101
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News
Somerfield in franchisee talks
Somerfield is in talks with a number of independents about the roll-out of its new franchise package after a successful joint venture with TM Retail. Group finance director Steve Back said: “We’re not looking for franchisees with 300 stores but...
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Marston holding the fort for Lewis
Somerfield has appointed regional director Roger Marston as temporary retail director, with responsibility for all Somerfield store formats.He will replace Tina Lewis who begins a period of six months’ maternity leave on February 1.He...
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Co-op wins right to pursue ICL
The Co-operative Group has won the right to a re-trial to pursue a multi-million pound claim against IT provider ICL.The society took ICL (now part of Fujitsu) to the Technology and Construction court in November 2001 claiming it had breached a...
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Fairtrade grape first
The Co-operative Group is claiming to be the first to offer Fairtrade organic grapes to UK consumers.The fruit went on sale this week and to encourage consumers the retailer slashed the price in half, from £2.99 to £1.49.The fruit is from...
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Morrisons to divest 140 smaller Safeway stores
Morrisons is set to bring in £250m by selling 140 of Safeway’s smaller convenience stores after acquiring the supermarket group last week.Weekend press reports suggest that the Big Food Group, Somerfield and German discounters Netto and Aldi...
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Co-op Group puts service first
The Co-operative Group is about to embark on a massive investment programme intended to introduce a step change in customer service across its estate of 1,800 stores.Keith Brydon, general manager retail programme management, would not give a...
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Spottiswoode thinks local for Somerfield
Somerfield has promoted Kieran Spottiswoode to local marketing controller to help support its £70m store refit programme and new formats roll-out.He replaces Rachel Warren, who left in August to become head of retail marketing at Oxford,...
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Brand unity nears
A new brand identity for the co-operative movement will be unveiled in 2005 in a bid to give societies a more coherent and consistent public face.A Co-operative Group spokesman said the brand panel established after the Co-operative...
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United Co-op bans terror pair
United Co-operatives says it has made legal history by obtaining a civil court injunction that bans two problem customers from entering its stores.The Staffordshire-based co-op, the second largest in the UK, has had Darren Boote and...
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Co-op Group loses Darwin
Keith Darwin is retiring as chairman of the Co-operative Group board in May next year. A former chief executive of the Lincoln Co-operative Society, he has held the post since 2000.Bob Burlton has been elected chairman designate by the...
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OTC sim cards
Virgin Mobile is seeking to turn mobile phone SIM cards into an impulse line. Spar, Menzies and the Co-operative Group stores will sell them at £9.99 each over the counter.Retailers will display them in packs of 10 in counter display units....
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TM Retail is set for joint venture roll-out
Somerfield and TM Retail’s joint c-store format could be rolled out to 200 TM Retail stores following trials, said trading director Paul Baxter.The partners have seen a leap in sales as they prepare to open their seventh trial “Somerfield...
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A marriage of convenience
The Somerfield/TM Retail partnership is breeding a new generation of c-stores. Anne Bruce reports from WantageFrom the outside, the 2,100 sq ft store is colourful, decorated in Somerfield’s Mediterranean palette. And it is packed...
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Products stockpiled as poison probe continues
Butter and milk powder made using milk from Westbury Dairies’ direct suppliers is still being quarantined while investigations continue into an alleged poisoning. Wiltshire police are trying to identify a caller who contacted farmer co-op...
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Blighted co-op closes
Midlands Co-op has been forced to close its largest store in Thurmaston after losing the bulk of its business to an Asda that opened directly opposite in March.Asda won planning permission for the controversial 45,000 sq ft store at...
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Somerfield miss phone card margins
Somerfield said second half sales were affected by the loss of margin on mobile phone card sales as consumers opted for electronic top ups.For the 28 weeks to November 8, the supermarket said sales at the group improved on the back of its...
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Nicholson to co-ordinate wines at Co-op
The Co-operative Group has chosen wine assistant Carole Nicholson to fill the new post of wine co-ordinator.She will be responsible for overseeing communications between the wine buying team, suppliers and internal departments.Her...
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Co-op rewards fresh initiative
Store managers were acknowledged for their efforts in boosting sales of fresh produce for the Co-operative Group.The retailer held its second Pride in Produce event which is designed to encourage staff to concentrate on selling fresh produce...
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Tesco slides three places
There has been a lot of movement in the fascia chart this week with Sainsbury continuing its rise up the chart knocking Tesco off the top spot. Tesco has slipped down to fourth spot with both Morrisons and Somerfield climbing ahead of Tesco on the...
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school meals don’t require perfection
from Helen Shiels, retail campaign manager, Rethink RubbishSir; I was interested to read your Saturday Essay by Susan Bromley of the Co-operative Group about its role in influencing healthier eating (The Grocer, October 11, p26)....